Competition Recap - 2017 Toronto Cup

Each spring, Kanama High Performance hosts the Toronto Cup at the Pro Show.

This event is always a ton of fun as it runs concurrently with one of the largest fitness expos around. Not only are there many vendors to check out, but the event includes weightlifting, powerlifting, CrossFit, arm wrestling, physique, and even pole fitness competitions.

Two members of the Guelph Barbell Club competed at the Toronto Cup - Aaron at 85 kg and Zack at 94 kg.

Zack has been training for less than a year and this was his first weightlifting competition. After hitting an 88 kg snatch, he went on to make a 99 kg C&J. He also put up 102 kg for attempt #3, which was really close to being complete! But the refs seemed to think there was an elbow bend (I disagree, but I might be biased). Zack will nail this weight for sure next time.

Aaron hit his opening snatch at 82 kg. This was followed up by solid C&Js at 105, 109 and 112 kgs. Aaron finished with a PR competition total of 194 kg, a new C&J PR and a bronze medal. Not a bad day for Guelph Barbell Club!

Operation Garage Gym

I started weight training in my high school gym when I was 13 years old. At that point, I had no idea what I was doing. Since that time, there has been a lot of figuring things out as I went. Over the years, I've learned a few things from friends, coaches, trainers and from taking some courses.

The one thing has not changed in that time is my need for a gym. It doesn't matter where I have lived, I absolutely need to find somewhere to train.

The gym environment has changed a lot for me. While I always used the school gym when I was a student, I also have frequented CrossFit gyms and Powerlifting gyms. As I have progressed in my training to focus on olympic weightlifting, I have found that I have become more and more particular about my training environment.

I need a clean gym space, with adequate equipment so one is not fighting for plates, and the freedom to follow my directed programming in a safe manner. That may be a tall order, but after many years, I have finally realized my dream of having my own place to work out. After weeks of planning and looking for equipment, it all came together in the form of Guelph Barbell 2.0!

Guelph Barbell 2.0 is my favorite place to spend a few hours surrounded by like-minded people who want to lift heavy things. I don't have to drive thirty minutes across town, I don't have to fight for parking. I also benefit from not having to wait for a platform, I can drop weights from overhead if I need to bail on a lift and I can play music ridiculously loud. From now on, whenever I need to "go to my happy place" you can find me in the garage gym!

Competition Recap - Winter Lift 2017

Guelph Barbell member Syd recently competed in the 2017 Winter Lift which was hosted by Variety Village. Winter Lift is a very competitive event and one of the last qualifiers for the Ontario provincial championships.

Following the recent changes to the female weight classes, Syd was the first person in Ontario to compete in the 90 kg division. Syd put up a 62 kg snatch and a 73 kg C&J and finished with a 135 kg total.  Not only did she win the weight class, but she is the current provincial record holder! Congrats Syd!

Competition Recap - Variety Village

Three short weeks after her first weightlifting competition  Syd is at it again and took first place at the 2017 Variety Village Weightlifting Competition. With focus and determination, Syd trained all through the holiday season and was pumped to take to the platform on January 7th. 

Syd made some improvements over her first competition and made 4 out of 6 lifts. She finished the competition with a 64 kg snatch, 77 kg C&J and finished with a total of 141 kg in the 75+ kg weight class.

This is the last time that women will be able to compete in the 75+ kg weight class. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) decided to revise the female weight classes following the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. While the lighter weight classes will remain the same, the heaviest weight class (75+) has been replaced with a 90 kg weight class. Additionally, a 90+ kg weight class has been added which increases the number of competitive weight classes from 7 to 8. 

Regardless of this change in weight classes for female competitiors, Syd was able to secure a qualifying total that will allow her to compete at WinterLift in February.